BECKLEY W.Va. (WVDN) – Andy Davis, Director of Strategic Redevelopment at the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), recently joined the board of directors of the New River Conservancy and attended his first board meeting in late November. The New River Conservancy is dedicated to protecting the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the entire New River Watershed.
The New River winds its way 360 miles through North Carolina, Virginia, and southern West Virginia. The confluence of the New and the Gauley Rivers at Gauley Bridge, in western Fayette County, forms the Kanawha River, which flows westward to the Ohio River. According to the New River Conservancy’s website, “We are here to protect [the New River] and to ensure that the waters that feed it are clean; that the land supports vibrant plants and animals; and that the communities that rely on it are passionate and empowered advocates for a healthy New River.”
Davis said he was pleased to be invited to serve on the board of the New River Conservancy. “I am passionate about highlighting and sharing the tremendous outdoor treasures of the New River Gorge region. Partnerships across the entire watershed are crucial for the success and the sustainability of the many opportunities to support a growing workforce and create more jobs.”
Davis joined the NRGRDA staff as Special Projects Coordinator in December 2020. He has spearheaded multiple projects and grants supporting community and economic development efforts within Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers counties. He came to NRGRDA from the West Virginia Community Development Hub. In July 2022, Davis was elevated to Director of Strategic Redevelopment at NRGRDA, taking on a much larger portfolio involving reuse and redevelopment across our gateway communities.
Jina Belcher, executive director of NRGRDA, said Davis’ new role on the New River Conservancy gives the New River Gorge region and State of West Virginia a strong and experienced voice in protecting our lands, water, wildlife and the quality of assets they present to our way of life. Davis is recognized statewide and nationally as a practitioner and advocate experienced in developing and executing local strategies for rural economic development through outdoor recreation. He was recognized as the 2023 redevelopment partner of the year by the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center and in early October 2024, he was invited to participate in the Outdoor Reaction Roundtable’s (ORR) first-ever National Leadership Forum on Rural Development in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Learn more about the New River Conservancy at https://newriverconservancy.org/.
